Hand operated friction type exercising device



June 2, 1970 D. D. ALEXANDER 3,515,384

HAND OPERATED FRICTION TYPE EXERCISING DEVICE Filed July 23, 1968 FIG.2

FIG.3

DAVID D. ALEXANDER INVENTOR FIG.4

FIG.5

ATTORNEY United States Patent US. Cl. 272-79 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An exercising device having a pair of arms pivoted about the same axis wherein one of the arms has an adjustable friction ring which is used to vary the force necessary to move the arms with respect to each other by clamping the ring against the end surface of the other arm.

This invention relates to an exercising device for use in gymnasiums, homes or the like and concerns itself with a structure comprising a pair of arms pivoted together at one end by means of a friction joint which can be adjusted to vary the resisting friction and in which the device is free to be swung as desired.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel exercising device for the upper extremities.

Another object is to provide such an exercising device of the hand grip type.

A further object is to provide such a device which is inexpensive to manufacture, capable of mass production techniques, and universal in its adaptability.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the disclosure is made in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying sheet of drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view taken through the means for adjusting the resisting friction between the coacting arms.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and partly in section, of the upper portion of another embodiment of the inevntion.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGS. 1-3 a preferred embodiment of the exercising device of the subject invention comprising arms 11-12 connected by means of a friction joint. More particularly, a right circular cylinder 13 (see FIG. 2) of metallic composition and of desired diameter includes lateral surface or side 14 and bases or ends 15-16. In the preferred embodiment, cylinder 13 is approximately two inches in diameter with ends 15, 16 spaced approximately one inch apart.

The longitudinal axis of the said cylinder is disposed at right angles to arms 11, 12 heretofore mentioned. As best seen in FIG. 2, arm 11 consists of parallel straps 17-18 of desired length which are secured upwardly to ends 15, 16 respectively of cylinder 13 as by welding or the like. Straps 17, 18 extend radially outward with grip 19 of conventional design preferably molded onto the outer ends thereof.

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Arm 12 is of integral construction, the medial curved portion 20 of which is spaced outwardly of an approximately two hundred seventy degrees about the lateral surface of cylinder 13 with legs 21-22 of the said arm 12 turned outwardly in spaced and parallel planes. Curved portion 20 is slightly smaller in width than the spacing between straps 17, 18 of arm 11 to permit rotation, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. A band. 23 of leather or other friction material, corresponding in width to curved portion 20, is secured as by gluing or the like to the inner surface of the said curved portion. Grip 24, similar to grip 19 heretofore mentioned, is preferably molded onto the outer ends of legs 21, 22 in a conventional manner. In construction, strap 17 is first welded or otherwise secured to end 15 of the cylinder after which arm 12 including band 23 is positioned on the cylinder. Strap 18 is then secured to end 16 in the manner hereto fore described.

To enable the user to adjust the resisting friction between band 23 and the lateral surface or side 14 of the cylinder, means are provided between the upper portions of legs 21, 22 respectively. Referring now to FIG. 3, a shaped aperture 25 is provided in leg 21; a bolt 26 including a square neck 27 or the like to conform to such shaped aperture inserts therein. A hollow, cylindrical resilient member 28 is positioned between legs 21, 22 with the shank of the said bolt passed through bore 29 in member 28 and thence through an aligned bore 30 in leg 22 with washer 31 and wing nut 32 placed thereon outwardly of leg 22. It is to be understood that a coil spring may be carried on the shank of bolt 26 with the ends butting the inner surfaces of legs 21, 22 respectively.

Rotation of wing nut 32 in a clockwise direction causes the opposing legs 21, 22 to be drawn together against the force exerted by resilient member 28 thereby ti htening band 23 against the lateral surface of cylinder 13. Rotation of the said wing nut 32 in a counterclockwise direction permits resilient member 28 to expand whereby the legs 21, 22 are forced apart thereby diminishing the force exerted by band 23 on the lateral surface of the said cylinder.

There is shown in FIGS. 4-5 of the drawings another embodiment of exercising device constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention consisting, in part, of hollow cylindrical member 33 of desired diameter to which arm 34 is secured. More specifically, arm 34 is on inverted U-shaped configuration consisting of outwardly extending and parallel legs 35-36 joined by cross piece 37. As viewed in FIG. 5, the said cylindrical mem ber includes transversely aligned and essentially rectangular notches 38 in the outer edges; the said cross piece 37 is positioned to overlie the corresponding portion of member 33 with the upper portions of legs 35, 36 inserted into the said notches respectively and secured therein as by welding or the like.

There is also shown in FIG. 4 another means for adjusting the resisting friction between the coacting arms. Arm 39 is similar in construction to arm 12 of FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings: said arm 39'includes medial curved portion 40 terminating in outturned legs 41-42. Band 43 of friction material is conventionally secured to the inner surface of curved portion 40 and extends approximately two hundred seventy degrees about the lateral surface of member 33. Bolt 44, carrying a backing plate 45 and resilient member 46, is passed through bore 47 in the upper portion of leg 41 and thence through aligned bore 48 in leg 42 with washer 49 and wing nut 50 placed thereon outwardly of leg 42. Preferably backing plate 45 and resilient member 46 are of such diameter to pass between legs 35, 36 of arm 34 upon rotation of the said arms. Grips (not shown) may be molded or convention- 3 ally secured to the lower ends of legs 35, 36 and 41, 42 respectively.

In use, the user grasps grips 19, 24. In exercising, the arms may be spread apart as far as desired and brought together against the resistance of the band applied to the lateral surface; at the same time the exercising device may be raised, lowered, or swung in various directions to bring into action a wide range of muscles of the hands, arms, chest and back. In the event that friction between the band and the lateral surface of the cylinder is either too great or not sufiicient, the user may conveniently remedy this merely by rotating wing nut 32 or 50 in the manner heretofore described.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only preferred embodiments of the invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1. An exercising device comprising a cylindrical member including a lateral peripheral surface, a first hand grip forming arm fixedly secured to the cylindrical member and disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said member, a rotatable second handgrip forming arm extending radially from said cylindrical member,

said second arm includinga curved portion conforming to the curvature of and spaced outwardly of said lateral surface of said cylindrical member and terminating in outwardly extending resilient legs that are adjacent each other, a friction material secured to said curver portion of said second arm and adapted to bear against said lateral surface of said cylindrical member, and means extending between said outwardly extending legs of said second arm for adjusting the resisting friction between said friction material and said lateral surface of said cylindrical memher.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said cylindrical member is hollow and said friction material extends approximately two hundred seventy degrees about said lateral surface of said cylindrical member.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said cylindrical member includes spaced first and second ends, said first arm is secured, respectively, to said first and second ends.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,725,232 11/1955 Magida 272-79 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner 

